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Chalice News
Round Rock Christian Church
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Embracing our neighbors
with Christ-like love
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July 13, 2021
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This coming Sunday in worship --
THE EIGTH SUNDAY
AFTER PENTECOST
"Reflect, Rest,
and Run Run Run!"
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A Message from the Pastor
My youngest sibling, Melanie, would have had her 49th birthday today. She only got to celebrate 14 birthdays because of her sudden death in an auto accident in November of 1986. Her friend was also killed in that crash. The driver of the vehicle--the mother of the friend--was injured but survived. They were all wearing seatbelts but that didn't save the girls because it was a side-impact collision. Their vehicle had slid on some ice, crossed the highway's center line, and was t-boned on the passenger side by an oncoming car.
Because our birthdays were only 3 days apart, Melanie and I celebrated them together. This past Saturday I turned 60, and I thought a lot about the fact that I've now lived more than four of Melanie's lifetimes. I also think about the fact that two of my four grandparents died long before they would have turned 60, and I never got to meet them.
One of the scriptures that offers me hope and encouragement in the face of loss is found in Romans 14, below. I know many of you have lost siblings, spouses, and other family members and friends. Be encouraged by God's promises.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
Romans 14:7-9
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Even though we are unable to meet in person,
RRCC has three ways you can still give your tithe:
- Go to the RRCC website rrdisciples.org and click on the "GIVE HERE" button at the top of the main page. Or use the link at the top of each newsletter. It will take you to the same place.
- Use your bank's electronic bill pay feature to have a check mailed directly from your bank to RRCC.
- Mail your check directly to RRCC.
Address your envelope to:
Financial Secretary
Round Rock Christian Church
22 Chalice Way
Round Rock, TX 78665
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Upcoming Events
There will be no events/meetings held in the RRCC facility until further notice.
Some RRCC activities and events have been cancelled until further notice.
Most are continuing online via zoom.
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
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5:00 p.m.
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- Texas Heat
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7:00 p.m.
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- Shalom Congregation (off site)
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via Zoom) Link HERE
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5:00 p.m.
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- Texas Heat
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6:30 p.m.
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- Chancel Choir rehearsal - IN PERSON
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Thursday, July 15, 2021
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5:00 p.m.
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- Texas Heat
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7:00 p.m.
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8:00 a.m.
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- Shalom Congregation
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9:15 a.m.
| - Open Circle Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE
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9:30 a.m.
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- Explorers Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
11:00 a.m.
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Evening
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- Manantial de Vida Congregation (off site)
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Monday, July 19, 2021
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5:00 p.m.
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- Texas Heat Volleyball
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7:00 p.m.
| - Guiding board Meeting (via Zoom) Link HERE |
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
| 5:00 p.m. | - Texas Heat Volleyball | |
7:00 p.m.
| - Shalom Congregation |
ZOOM MEETING LINKS, events and details can be viewed on the RRCC Calendar.
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New Small Group Book Study to Begin Soon
RRCC is offering a new small group study. Jemar Tisby's book The Color of Compromise will be the subject of the study. Please text, email, or call Pastor Mitch if you're interested in participating. It will be offered twice on Tuesdays--11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.--July 20 through September 28th (11 Tuesdays). When you contact the pastor, please let him know whether you want the church to order you a book. The cost of the book is approximately $12. Please contact Pastor Mitch as soon as possible if interested. Here is the description on the back cover:
"In The Color of Compromise, Jemar Tisby takes readers back to the roots of sustained racism and injustice in the American church. Filled with powerful stories and examples of American Christianity's racial past, Tisby's historical narrative highlights the obvious ways people of faith have actively worked against racial justice, as well as the complicit silence of racial moderates. Identifying the cultural and institutional tables that must be flipped to bring about progress, Tisby provides an in-depth diagnosis for a racially divided American church and suggests ways to foster a more equitable and inclusive environment among God's people."
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Disciples Men's Ministry Class
RRCC men are encouraged to prayerfully consider being a part of a new class. The Wired WORD provides adult Bible Study material perfect for group discussions that link current events to appropriate scriptures.
There is no book to buy. The church has purchased a one-year subscription. The weekly lessons will be emailed to you on Thursdays. The weekly emails will include:
- An introduction to the lesson from the teacher (Rev. Maxted)
- A summary of a current event that is prominent in the news
- Some big questions for consideration or discussion about the topic
- Scripture references to help confront the news with hope
- Additional group discussion questions
- Suggestions for responding to the news
- A closing prayer
If you think you might be interested, or just want to know more, please contact Pastor Mitch via email, text, or phone call. The meeting day and time has not yet been decided. It could be a weekday breakfast meeting or lunch meeting, or even during the Sunday School hour. It will not be held in conjunction with our monthly breakfasts on Saturday morning. One group has already begun--an early lunch meeting on Thursdays. We will likely break into multiple groups if we have more than six men. We want to keep the groups small to foster great discussions and more meaningful sharing and prayer time together.
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UPDATED INFORMATION:
CHANCEL CHOIR ZOOM FELLOWSHIP
Chancel Choir Zoom will take place for the remaining Wednesdays in June at 7pm.
Chancel Choir Rehearsals will resume IN THE SANCTUARY
on Wednesday, July 7, at 6:30pm.
Masks must be worn.
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Hopewell Middle School Supply Drive
The 2021-2022 school year is just around the corner, and although no one knows exactly what "schooling" will look like this fall, the Hopewell Principal has indicated that many students will still need help with supplies (which can be used at school and/or home). In fact, the enrollment this fall has been projected at 1350 students, which is more than 100 over last year! Hopewell Middle School has requested the continued support of RRCC in providing much needed student school supplies, to begin the school year.
The Principal and Counselors have provided a list of the most needed items and the Outreach Team will purchase the supplies rather than request donations of supplies from RRCC members, due to the social distancing measures which continue to be in place. Although we do have a budget for Outreach to expense on events and supplies, we are providing an opportunity for additional donations, should anyone be interested in contributing to this worthy cause.
In the four years since we began this project in 2017, we have donated school supplies valued at over $2,300 to the students at Hopewell who need supplies. This year, it is important the students have the supplies that they need and are engaged academically and know that they are supported by the community. Last year was a school year like never before, and this year will surely have its challenges.
Please consider making a contribution to this project with a check or online contribution marked (Hopewell School Supplies) during any week in July.
Thank you for your help in supporting the students of Hopewell Middle School, with school supplies, in our on-going effort to "embrace our neighbors with Christ-like love"!
The Outreach Team
Janette Johnston, Susan Kessler and Tricia Mouser
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Mission South and Disciple Oaks Summer Camps 2021
Church camp changes lives! You can register online here. You can also register on the Disciple Oaks website. For a copy of this flyer you can download it here For a copy of the Mission South Summer Camp 2021 Fees download it here For a copy of the CampDoc Registration Instructions download it here More information can be found at our website, link above.
2021 Summer Camp Dates:
CYF Conference: June 21-July 3, 2021
Eighter's Camp: July 4-10, 2021
JYF Camp: July 20-21, 2021
Chi Rho Camp: July 25-31, 2021
Online Registration opens March 15, 2021
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 The BBA/LRGVA Disciples Women will be meeting live and in person at Disciple Oaks camp in Gonzales - OCTOBER 2-3, 2021. Mark your calendar NOW for October 2-3, 2021. If you think you might attend, please let Susan Kessler know (swkessler@austin.rr.com)
Early registration is $80 due by August 1; late registration is $90, due by September 1. The Retreat will officially begin at 10am Saturday; if you'd like to arrive on Friday night, the cost is $100 and you can enjoy local Gonzales eateries for Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast.
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RRCC Newsletter Deadlines
Please submit your
Tuesday Newsletter articles and pictures
before 10:00 a.m. on Mondays.
and your Friday Reminders articles and pictures
before 12:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Thank you!
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Did You Miss a Newsletter?
Past newsletters dating back to mid-March 2020 are currently archived under the "ABOUT US" tab on the RRCC Website.
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Upcoming Birthdays
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July 8
| - Katie Maybaum | |
July 10
| - Mitch Maxted
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July 11
| - Gary Collier | |
July 11
| - Patti Shrader | |
July 17
| - Susan Putnam |
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Prayer Needs
LEADERSHIP
1. Our Guiding Board, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Teams. Our Elders discern how to share "40 Days of Prayer & Faith Sharing"
2. Our staff: Jimmy, Mitch, Katie, Randy, and Molly
3. Our music ministries and their leaders: Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Jimmy Horowitz
4. Our tech team: Gary Collier, Tara Pollock, Katie Maybaum, Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Dan Knight
5. Our Reopening Task Force as they continue to re-evaluate and adjust safety measures for our in-person worship services on a weekly basis
6. Our Caring Hearts Prayer Group
7. Our Stephen Ministries (Care Receivers and Caregivers)
8. Our partnership with Shalom Seventh Day Adventist & Manantial de Vida congregations (and their pastors Edy Rosa Paez and Maria Rosario)
9. Reverends Andy Mangum (CCSW Regional Minister and President, and Rev. Alfred Walker, the newly called Community Regional Minister (CRM) for Reconciliation and Anti-Racism. We look forward to hosting Rev. Walker and his family in worship on Sunday, September 12th
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. For all who are grieving the loss of a loved one
2. For all who have been ill with COVID-19, and their families
3. Acree, Mary -- moving to Assisted Living at Franklin Park near the end of this month
4. Breeding, Diane -- granddaughter Janelle and her husband Travis welcomed a baby boy into their family last week, but he does have serious health challenges, so prayers for him, his parents, and the whole family
5. Chester, Fern -- back at the Buckner Villas after rehab for a broken collar bone
6. Claymon, Melba -- sister Sue Anderson awaiting rehab; had bypass surgery in May
7. Cratin, Katherine -- friend Don Quick passed away last week
8. Fennimore, Nancy -- friend's son recently diagnosed with kidney cancer
9. Glover, Linda -- finger surgery this Friday
10. Guilbeau, Cynthia -- her aunt Carol Gracedel passed away last week
11. Jackson, Gwen -- brother Patrick Adams dealing with spine and neck issues
12. Jenkins, Bob -- Bob's sister Janet is receiving treatments for melanoma
13. Jocoy, Judy -- finished radiation treatments and is now in skilled nursing; will have further oncology treatments in the near future; Judy has brain cancer and there are other parts of her body affected; please no calls or visits at this time, but sending a card to her home would be great
14. Kelley, Sally and Mike -- continued prayers for niece Tracy Chambers, battling cancer
15. Kessler, Jim -- recovering from lung issue; may go home from the hospital today or tomorrow
16. Malone, Betty -- sister Carolyn receiving hospice care
17. Miller, Chris -- (son of Jean Bell) experiencing some neuropathy from cancer treatments
18. Mouser, Tricia -- grandson David Grillos had some complications following his brain shunt replacement procedure last week, but is doing better now
19. Murray, Mary -- step-grandson Griffin dealing with intestinal issues
20. Scarborough, Rilda -- continues to recuperate from leg infection
21. Smith, Lonnie -- friend of Jackie Culbertson, who lost both legs in an accident; please pray for his healing physically, spiritually, and emotionally
22. Walker, Lisa -- receiving dialysis treatments 3x per week
23. Wilson, Garvid -- hospice care and pain management; Phyllis had surgery on Thursday for a ruptured disc and it went well (came home the next day)
24. York, Tasha -- Tasha and siblings caring for mother Peggy Massey
OTHER
1. Our summer church camp program at Disciple Oaks; Katie Maybaum is there this week
2. All who don't know Jesus
3. COVID-19 (continuing efforts to reach "herd immunity" in the U.S. and around the world)
4. Those who have lost jobs during the pandemic; businesses that continue to struggle
5. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world 6. Our military personnel and families 7. Pressing immigration concerns at our border, development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible; cooperation and communication with Mexico and Central American countries 8. Developing policies and education programs to battle systemic racism in all of its forms 9. For all efforts toward affordable health care for all Americans 10. For all efforts to make voting safe, simple, and easily accessible for all in our country; and to oppose recent voter suppression legislation 11. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of mass shootings in schools, places of work, etc. 12. A restful, rejuvenating summer for all teachers, administrators, students, and parents in our neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School
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[There will be no Sunday School classes in the church building for the foreseeable future.
Some classes will be meeting via Zoom
during this time of social distancing.]
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Early Childhood Class (ages 4-7) -Taught by Lisa Walker
Intermediate Class (3rd - 5th grade) - Taught by Jennifer Kienzle
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Chi Rho Class - (6th - 8th grade) - (studying the book, "Middle School TalkSheets" for ages 11-14. "These TalkSheets present every aspect of Jesus' life in a way that young teens can connect with as they learn to apply the lessons to their own lives.")
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CYF Class (9th - 12th grade)
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Open Circle (primarily adult women) - 9:15 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, studying The Prodigal God by Rev. Timothy Keller.
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Explorers (mixed adults) - 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, facilitator is Mildred Adair; have recently begun a study of Paul's letter to the church at Rome. Link HERE
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Follow us on Social Media!
We can be found on:
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Submitting a photo? Awesome!
We love pictures of congregational life!
Please remember to include
identification (who, what, when, where, why)
for each photograph submitted to the office.
Also, please indicate where you would like the photo to be used (RRCC website, social media, weekly newsletter, etc.)
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Mondays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Tuesdays:
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2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Wednesdays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Thursdays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Fridays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Message
Going Home
In the summer many choose the opportunity to travel. Visiting our relatives in other states or going back to where we once lived can be a rewarding experience. Even though we may have often moved, the idea of a home that is truly ours is something that everyone would likely desire. There is a home coming that is very special to the child of God. We have a heavenly home that Jesus told us about in John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am , there you may be also."
The reference to going home is appealing. For many people in our world today, there is no home as a physical structure. We see the devastation of climate change; wars that destroy homes, earthquakes; volcanic eruptions, landslides, flooding and many other things that can take away our physical homes. Many have given up on ever having a real house to live in. As a follower of Christ, Jesus promised us that we would have a home. He declares that He is preparing a place for us. He has been working on it for many, many years.
For some the idea of going home may not be appealing. The thought of our lives ending when we die, is frightening to some individuals. The reality is that our real home is in Heaven. A place free from fear, sickness, disease, hatred, warring factions, lies of all sorts, growing old is often feared. We as Christians are going Home to our Heavenly residence, to the abiding Presence of Our Savior Jesus Christ. He will be there to usher us into this new beautiful place that He has prepared for us. When you think of going Home, remember the Heavenly Kingdom that God has prepared for us.
Prayer:
Dearest Heavenly Father, I come before You in the name of my Precious Savior and Lord. I am so thankful that no matter what may be going on in this world that You Sweet Lamb, are watching over us. I am so thankful that my going Home journey will not be one that I travel by myself but one in which You will lead me. Thank You for the blessed hope that I have as a follower of Jesus Christ. I look forward to the day when You return for me and I get to go to my eternal home. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen
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